July 03, 2015, 12:40PM

The world's largest free-flying American flag was inflated at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken to help launch Independence Day celebrations. The 53-foot-tall, 78-foot-wide hot air balloon was created by Barry DiLibero following 9/11 and has flown in the region ever since courtesy of the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning and PNC Bank. (Video by Andre Malok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

July 25, 2014, 7:42PM

Dick Young became a balloon pilot 19 years ago. His wife Mary Beth earned her license two years later. The amazing thing is that Mary Beth had acrophobia, a fear of heights which she has overcome. The Parsippany, N.J. couple now take turns piloting their balloon named Going My Way. They travel to festivals and take people for flights all across North America. (Video by Andre Malok / The Star-Ledger)

July 25, 2014, 2:54PM

This video will take you on a one-minute time-lapse flight over Hunterdon County on Mary Beth and Dick Young's 'Going My Way' hot air balloon. The flight started on the airfield at Solberg Airport in Readington, site of the 32nd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. More than 165,000 people are expected to attend the festival which runs from July 25-27. (Video by Andre Malok / The Star-Ledger)

July 26, 2013, 2:48PM

Nick Mazzocchi of the Flying Mazzocchis has been piloting balloons for nearly 40 years and has no plan to stop any time soon. Today, Mazzocchi took to the skies in the 31st annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning at Solberg Airport in Readington. The festival has been named one of the Top 100 Events in North America in 2013. It's the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in the country. This year the event will feature more than 100 hot air balloons from around the world, a live concert series, and other family entertainment. (Video by Andre Malok/The Star-Ledger)

September 13, 2012, 11:17AM

The 132 foot long Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield blimp has just finished its 15th summer traveling through the skies over New Jersey. Most people just can't resist stopping what they're doing as the blimp passes by. And that is exactly what the advertiser wants, a captive audience. The 68,000 cubic foot helium-filled Horizon airship is controlled by 21-year veteran pilot Terry Dillard of Orlando Florida. Dillard is among only 56 airship pilots worldwide. In fact, their are only 25 blimps worldwide, 10 of which are based in the United States.

July 27, 2012, 4:16PM

The Solberg Airport in Readington will play host to the 30th Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning on July 27-28-29. Balloon pilot Tony DiCocco of Pennington takes The Star-Ledger for a ride above the activities for a first-hand look at the this unique event from the skies. The festival features a full slate of family activities, including hot air balloon rides, concerts, food vendors and more. Video by Mike Roy / The Star-Ledger

June 22, 2012, 9:20PM

A Readington teenager asked Governor Chris Christie why the "Jersey Comeback" took so long?" Christie was speaking at a town hall meeting at the Holland Brook Elementary School in Readington Friday afternoon. Video by Mike Roy / The Star Ledger

June 22, 2012, 9:02PM

Chris Christie says state democrats are "addicted" to tax increases, and that they walked away from a principle agreement with him on taxes. He was speaking at a town hall meeting at the Holland Brook Elementary School in Readington Friday afternoon. Video by Mike Roy / The Star Ledger

June 22, 2012, 8:10PM

If it passes as written, Governor Chris Christie said he'd veto a bill on the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana in the state of New Jersey. He was speaking at a town hall meeting at the Holland Brook Elementary School in Readington Friday afternoon. Video by Mike Roy / The Star Ledger

September 06, 2011, 7:26PM

August 28, 2010, 9:32PM

For the past 15 months, Jonathan Volpe, an 8-year-old from Monroe Township, has been battling lymphoblastic lymphoma. The Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation and MetLife's Snoopy Blimp gave Jonathan a special gift by organizing a ride in Snoopy One for the boy and his father, on Saturday, August 28, 2010 in Readington. (Video by Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger)

July 24, 2010, 1:36PM

Ken Leota of Howell, N.J. has been piloting hot air balloons nearly 30 years. For nearly all of them, he’s taken flight at the Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning. This weekend 175,000 people are expected to pass through a festival that has become a traditional part of Jersey summer. For tickets and information visit www.balloonfestival.com (Video by Michael Monday/The Star-Ledger)

March 14, 2010, 1:04PM

More than four inches of rain in some areas of Hunterdon County caused localized flooding especially along the banks of the South Branch of the Raritan River. Flood waters forced road closures in the historic town of Clinton near the Hunterdon Art Museum and Clinton Mill. (Video by Andre Malok / The Star-Ledger)

August 05, 2009, 5:20PM

Chuck Wagner, of Milford Delaware, flies his Dela-Bear balloon amidst more than 100 hot air balloons at the Quick Chek Festival of Ballooning in Readington, NJ, the weekend of July 24. The festival flew hot air balloons twice a day, in the early morning and evening, for three consecutive days at the nations largest hot air balloon festival. (Video by Mahala Gaylord/The Star-Ledger)

May 22, 2009, 11:15AM

The Readington River Buffalo Company is the state’s only buffalo farm. This Saturday, the farm is hosting Buffalo Watch 2009, a fund raising event to benefit the Whitehouse Rescue Squad. Calving season is in full swing, so visitors will be able to see many young buffalo. The chances of seeing a live birth are optimal, but not guaranteed. (Video by Andre Malok/The Star-Ledger)

May 20, 2009, 4:20PM

The Readington River Buffalo Company is the state’s only buffalo farm. This Saturday, the farm is hosting Buffalo Watch 2009, a fund raising event to benefit the Whitehouse Rescue Squad. Calving season is in full swing, so visitors will be able to see many young buffalo. The chances of seeing a live birth are optimal, but not guaranteed. (Video by Andre Malok/The Star-Ledger)

July 23, 2008, 5:55PM

At 25 years old, Sally Mazzocchi is among the youngest female commercial balloon pilots in the state. She is also the director of the Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning at Solberg Airport in Readington. The three day Festival is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America and offers 39 hours of entertainment over the weekend, from mass hot air balloon ascensions to live concerts. (Video by Andre Malok /The Star-Ledger)